Chapter 1

How do people fall in love? It’s a question that has puzzled us for ages and yet remains unanswered. It was the first day of school again. Kiyoshi Aimoto would be a second-year high school student starting today, but he did not care about that. It was boring to him listening to the principal’s speech and desperately wanted to leave. All that was on his mind was what he would be doing after school. He would get to play soccer and hang out with his best friend, Jun Tanaka. Finally, the speeches were over and the students went to their classrooms.

“Man, that took forever!” Kiyoshi said, sighing with his head down on his desk.

“You don’t change, huh?” Jun said while laughing softly. He pats Kiyoshi’s back and says, “At least you get to play soccer after school. I’ll be there too.”

Kiyoshi’s head shoots up and says, “Oh shit, you’re right. You’ll see the ultimate-”

Suddenly Kiyoshi’s ears and eyes focus on the very loud Akemi at the front of the classroom, as a gentle smile appears on his face.

Jun looks over at Akemi and realizes what’s going on.

While pretending to look confused Jun asks “What’s wrong? See the ultimate what?”

Kiyoshi instantly turns his attention back to Jun and says “Huh? Oh. The ultimate embodiment of Zidane!”

“Hey! Hina, let's go to a cafe after school,” said Akemi loudly.

Hina sighs deeply and asks, “How are you always this loud and energetic?”

“Come on! Let’s go! Come on!” said Akemi while starting to pout.

“Okay fine,” said Hina. Finally giving in.

Akemi Haruyama has always been an energetic girl and no one at school has ever seen her sad. Everybody knows her as the loud and energetic Akemi. She talks to almost anybody and is the definition of extroverted. Joy is what she lives by, but there is something that troubles her deeply. She can’t go a day without thinking about it. Her love for Kiyoshi. Will she ever be able to get her feelings across? Only her close friend Hina, whom she met in her first year of high school knows about this.

It all started the day before Christmas break. Jun was sick that day so Kiyoshi sat by himself and talked to no one. He was never the social type and only really talked to his closest friend, Jun. Since it was winter, he could not play soccer so he looked more down than usual. Jun was the only person that made school fun for him. Akemi was loud as always and kept rambling on about her Christmas plans to Hina. Everyone in the classroom was talking about their Christmas plans. Kiyoshi just sat there with his head down. You couldn’t not hear Akemi, even if you tried to. Her voice was the most prominent in the classroom.

“Okay, so after we finish the Christmas party, let’s do a sleepover at my house!” said Akemi.

“I’d be tired and fall asleep right away,” said Hina.

With a smile, Akemi says “Oh, come on. Falling asleep on a night like that is boring!”

“Maybe I’ll wait for you to fall asleep,” said Hina with a scary grin.

“What do you m-mean by that?” said Akemi while looking scared.

They both looked at each other and began laughing. Kiyoshi, who was listening, couldn't help but smile.

“They’re close, huh,” he thought.

Later, as the last bell rang, Kiyoshi rushed to leave and as he was outside the school entrance he realized something. He left his winter break homework inside his desk. First, he thought that it would be a great excuse not to do it. But then he decided to go back and get it. The teachers aren’t that dumb to believe that excuse. When he went back to the classroom there was someone else there. It was Akemi. She was looking everywhere for something. Kiyoshi just proceeded to go to his desk and take out his winter break homework.

“Hey! Did you see my winter break homework?” said Akemi.

With a startled look, Kiyoshi said “No. I haven’t”

Kiyoshi looked nervous. He couldn't help but be nervous. He was holding his winter break homework in his hand. Kiyoshi thought that Akemi would yell at him and accuse him of stealing her homework.

As he was about to explain what he was doing, Akemi stopped him and said “Oh! It looks like that. Help me find mine”

“Huh? Uh, alright,” said Kiyoshi with a startled look.

“I thought she was gonna start yelling at me,” he thought.

Kiyoshi in a low tone looks at Akemi and asks “Have you looked inside of your desk?”

“Shit. Good point,” Akemi said, with a smile.

“Wow, she is an airhead,” Kiyoshi thought.

“Ohhh! You were right! It was hiding in here all along!” said Akemi, looking accomplished.

Kiyoshi let out a gentle smile and said “You should have checked there first.”

Akemi was surprised and was at a loss for words. Her heart had skipped a beat as she saw his smile.

“Wow. He. He’s really cute,” she thought. And in a low voice, she said, “U-uh yeah. You’re right.”

“I’m going home now. I came back for my homework after all,” said Kiyoshi as he put his homework in his bag.

As he was leaving the classroom Akemi shouted out to him “Have a good Christmas Aimoto!”

Kiyoshi turns around with a startled look that soon turns into that warming gentle smile. That smile that enchanted Akemi.

“Yeah you too Haruyama!” said Kiyoshi.

As soon as Kiyoshi left, Akemi sat down at her desk and put her head down. “Ahhhh,” she said, her voice shaking. She was a bright red as her heart beat out of her chest. This was the first time she had ever felt this way. Akemi talked to everybody and no boy has ever made her feel this way. She was experiencing love for the first time.

“Why was his smile so cute?” she thought.

Soon Christmas was here. Hina’s family came over to Akemi’s home to celebrate. When the celebration was over, Hina told her parents that she was sleeping over for the night so they left to go back to their home. Akemi and Hina sat there snuggled up in a blanket watching a drama when all of a sudden Akemi turned the TV off. The room became dark and they couldn’t see each other’s faces. In the pitch-black room, Akemi was a bright red.

“Hina. I love Aimoto,” says Akemi in a shaky voice.

Hina was surprised. Akemi fell in love? She talks to boys every day so casually.

Hina and Akemi first met in their first year of high school. It was fate that brought the two together. On their first days as high school students, they sat next to each other. Kiyoshi was the only person Hina knew but he was already talking to Jun and his soccer teammates. She just sat there as time moved ever so slowly.

“You look just like a doll,” someone said.

Hina turned to her right to see that it was Akemi. “Is she making fun of me?” she thought.

Letting out a nervous laugh, Hina says, “T-thanks… uh, Haruyama?”

Hina wanted to leave the classroom. She wanted to escape this conversation. She wanted time to move faster. Hina couldn't wrap her head around why Akemi would talk to her. She turned forward again, staring at the clock with an emotionless face. Then came that voice again.

“You truly are so pretty!” said Akemi, smiling.

Hina turned to Akemi again. “Is she one of those straightforward blockheads?” she thought.

“Your name was Suzuki, right? Hina Suzuki?” said Akemi, sounding more joyous now.

“Y-yeah,” replied Hina.

“Hey, Hina!” said Akemi.

Hina was a little surprised. “She used my first name so casually,” she thought.

Akemi started to laugh but then stopped herself. You physically see her fighting the laughter. “What is green and- HAAAHAHAA… okay… okay… What is green-pff and… and has wheels?” asked Akemi.

With a confused look, Hina replied, “Uh. I don’t know wha-.” Suddenly she was cut off.

“GRASS HAHAA! I LIED ABOUT THE WHEELS!” said Akemi. She was dying of laughter now. “My stomach hahaha… I can’t stop laughing!”

Hina began to laugh. She looked so genuinely happy. While laughing she asks Akemi, “What kind of joke is that Haruyama? You sound like my dad!”

Akemi stopped laughing and was shocked to see Hina smiling and laughing. It processed through her brain and she smiled. “Your dad must have good taste! Also, you can call me Akemi!”

That was how the two met. To Hina, Akemi was the person who saved her from a boring high school year. Akemi just spoke her mind. Soon the two would grow close and become best friends.

Now she would be genuinely happy to see that her best friend would be exploring a new world. A world of love.

“Is he nice?” asked Hina in a soft voice.

“Mhm,” said Akemi, embarrassed.

Hina began to smile and then asked “What made you like him?”

Akemi started to get more embarrassed now and her voice got even more shaky.

“H-his smile,” said Akemi.

All of a sudden Hina rose up and somehow found the light switch. Akemi let out a yelp as she threw her face into the blanket. Again, Hina was surprised. She saw the always so joyful Akemi, embarrassed and quiet.

Hina came back to her senses and said “Well then. Let’s make you his girlfriend!”

Akemi lifted her face and questioned Hina.

“G-girlfriend? Me? He probably doesn’t even like me,” said Akemi with a less shaky voice.

“Ohh come on. Don’t say that. Are you going to just give up?” asked Hina, crossing her arms.

Akemi stood up and smiled.

“Of course not!” declared Akemi.

That was the day Akemi decided that she would make Kiyoshi fall in love with her. But little did she know, she would be in for a big surprise.

On the first day back at school as a second-year student, Akemi was thrilled. She kept sneaking glances at Kiyoshi and got embarrassed every time.

“Hey. What are you spacing out for Akemi?” said Hina as she turned around. “Ooo. A maiden in love.” Hina continued to tease Akemi.

Akemi turned red and said while embarrassed, “What are y-you saying!” Then she noticed Kiyoshi looking over. Akemi instantly looked away and put her head down on her desk.

Hina let out a little laugh and said, “Haha, my bad Akemi.” She got closer to Akemi with a grin and whispered in her ear, “Let me make it up to you.”

Akemi lifted her head while looking confused.

Suddenly Hina yelled out, “Kiyoshi! Come over here for a sec!” She looked at Akemi with an evil grin and said “Love doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Kiyoshi slowly walked over and asked, “What’s up Suzuki?”

“Well, you see. You know how you’re in the soccer club?” asked Hina.

Looking confused, Kiyoshi said, “Yeah. What about it?”

With a bigger smile now Hina said, “Akemi over here wants to get better at soccer!” She started letting out little laughs. “Don’t worry, she played a little bit in middle school.”

Akemi did not say a word nor did she look at them. She sat there in silence fidgeting with her fingers.

“Oh, then yeah. I guess I could,” said Kiyoshi.

Hina looked at the clock and said, “Shoot, I gotta go to the office to talk to a teacher real quick.” She started walking out of the classroom then looked over at Akemi and Kiyoshi and said, “You guys should plan out a schedule and stuff!” Hina left the classroom but was behind the door sneaking peeks at the two.

Jun just sat back in his seat with his hand behind his head and smiled.

Kiyoshi sat down at the desk next to Akemi. The silence was louder than ever and it just got more awkward as they sat in silence. The only girl Kiyoshi talked to at school was Hina. Their dads were best friends since high school so they often met each other growing up. He’s never had a girlfriend and never attempted to pursue a girl before. But that day before winter break also changed him as it did Akemi. He decided that this year he would become a new man.

Kiyoshi took a deep breath and said, “So. When are you free?”

Akemi was still fidgeting with her fingers and said nervously, “U-uh I don’t know… probably on Saturday.”

“Alright. Then let’s start practicing on Saturday. Does 2 pm work for you?” asked Kiyoshi with a smile.

“Y-yeah,” said Akemi.

Kiyoshi could not stop smiling. He laughed and said, “Okay! That’s a promise then!”

Akemi looked up and felt that feeling again. “O-okay,” she said. Just seeing him smile made her feel warm.

Kiyoshi went back to his seat and Hina walked in and sat down next to Akemi”

“See? Not that hard,” said Hina, smiling.

Saturday was two days away. 48 hours. It didn’t feel real to Akemi. She can get closer to the person she loves, this easily? This was the starting line for her. But on Saturday morning a big problem arose. Akemi was nervous out of her mind.

“I’m going to be alone with him,” she thought. “What do I even wear?”

She started to panic even more now. She will be with Kiyoshi in 6 hours. Just the two of them.

She immediately called Hina and asked on the verge of tears, “What do I wear Hinaaaa!”

Hina sighed and said, “You’re going to be playing soccer so wear something suited for that.”

“How do you even look cute in sportswear?” asked Akemi, collapsing into her bed.

Hina reassured Akemi and said, “Don’t worry Akemi. You look pretty.”

“Really?” said Akemi with a shaky voice.

“Yup! Good luck and stay strong!” said Hina in a joyful tone.

It was finally time. Akemi was almost at the field entrance behind the school when she suddenly stopped. Kiyoshi was there. He was practicing in the April sun. Akemi had never seen this side of Kiyoshi before. He looked so happy and serious at the same time.

“What am I doing,” Akemi thought. She was smiling as her eyes began to get a little watery. “Helping me practice will only slow you down, silly.” Then she walked away.

Kiyoshi could not wipe the smile off of his face. He was too excited to see Akemi. Let alone be able to do what he loves with her. But time passed and that bright smile turned into stoned seriousness. He was just playing soccer now. He accepted his situation and all he did was kick the ball.

“What was I thinking,” he thought, kicking the ball harder. “A girl that pretty would never want to be with me.”

It was nearing 5 pm now. His body finally gave out and he laid on his back.

Kiyoshi smiled in pain as he covered his eyes. “I should have known better,” he thought as his eyes started to water up.

He took a deep breath, wiped the tears in his eyes, got up, and made his way home.

As Kiyoshi walked back home, his heart felt heavy with sadness and disappointment. For the first time in a long time, he had allowed himself to open up to someone and trust them completely. But in the end, Akemi had broken her promise and shattered his trust.

The feeling of love had been fleeting, but it had left a deep impression on Kiyoshi's heart. He couldn't understand why this hurt so much more than all the other broken promises he had experienced in the past. It was a pain that felt like a physical weight on his chest, and he didn't know how to make it go away.

"Was it all just a lie?" Kiyoshi thought to himself, as he walked through the empty streets. "Did she ever really care about me, or was I just a temporary distraction for her?"

The thought of Akemi and what could have been consumed his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of hurt and betrayal. "I thought she was different," he thought, his eyes starting to water. "I thought she was someone I could trust."

Kiyoshi had always prided himself on being mentally tough and never showing his weak side to anyone. But this experience had broken him in a way he had never felt before. The thought of trusting someone again felt impossible.

"Maybe I'm just not cut out for this," Kiyoshi thought, as he arrived home and went to his room. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, and tried to ignore the pain. But it was a pain that he couldn't just block out or push aside.

At that moment, Kiyoshi felt like he had lost something important. He had lost his trust in people and questioned whether there was any genuine goodness in the world. It was a feeling that he knew would take a long time to heal if it ever did.